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A short-term, low-salt diet combined with reduced body fluids may aid in the repair and regeneration of certain kidney cells, according to new research conducted by scientists in the United States. The study, which has shown promising results in animal trials, was led by stem cell scientist Janos Peti-Peterdi from the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California.
The research indicates that a loss of salt and body fluid can stimulate kidney regeneration and repair in mice. This regenerative response is dependent on a small population of kidney cells located in a region known as the macula densa (MD). These cells are responsible for sensing salt and regulating key kidney functions, including filtration and hormone secretion. The findings were published in The Journal of Clinical Investigation.
Kidney disease is a growing concern, often diagnosed at a stage when the kidneys are already irreversibly damaged, necessitating replacement therapies such as dialysis or transplantation. In light of this, Peti-Peterdi, along with first author Georgina Gyarmati and their team, adopted a novel approach to their research. Instead of focusing on the failure of diseased kidneys to regenerate, they investigated the original evolutionary mechanisms of healthy kidneys.
The research team subjected lab mice to a very low-salt diet and administered an ACE inhibitor, a drug commonly prescribed to lower salt and fluid levels further. The mice adhered to this regimen for up to two weeks, a duration chosen to avoid the potential health risks associated with prolonged extremely low salt diets.
Observations in the MD region of the kidneys revealed regenerative activity, which could be inhibited by drugs that block signals from the MD. Further analysis of mouse MD cells showed genetic and structural characteristics similar to nerve cells. Additionally, specific signals from certain genes were identified in these cells, which could be enhanced by a low-salt diet to promote kidney structure and function regeneration.
“We feel very strongly about the importance of this new way of thinking about kidney repair and regeneration,” stated Peti-Peterdi. “And we are fully convinced that this will hopefully end up soon in a very powerful and new therapeutic approach.”
This research opens up new possibilities for treating kidney disease, potentially leading to innovative therapies that leverage the body’s natural regenerative processes.
